Benefits

Veterinary Physiotherapy can assist animals in many ways. The main focus for the Physiotherapist is to ...

Reduce pain

Prevent muscle atrophy

Reduce restrictive scar tissue

Improve circulation

Normalise gait patterning

Strengthen core stability

Reduce risk of future injury

Increase fitness & co-ordination

Conditions assisted by Physiotherapy

Veterinary Physiotherapy is not an alternative, but a complementary treatment to your animal's overall veterinary care. Only your vet surgeon can legally diagnose an animal's condition, and provide medical and surgical treatment, with their supplementary advice.The Physiotherapist is often referred to following surgery or an injury of neurological or orthopaedic origin. Any condition which affects the animal's normal gait, causing compensatory movements or a change in co-ordination, may be assisted with Physiotherapy care and advice.

Common small animal surgeries include:

Ligament tear or full rupture

Tendon strain or full rupture

Luxating patella

Fracture repair

Spinal disc protrusion or extrusion

This list is not exhaustive. There may be good reason for physiotherapy treatment prior to surgery for reasons of comfort, maintenance of function, and muscle conditioning. Post operatively, the body can directed towards functional restoration of the tissues while the surgery is still at its acute stage. At this time, the effect is greater on scar tissue formation, nerve stimulation & compensatory gait formation. Ask for a referral prior to surgery, so the physiotherapy is arranged to make these differences in recovery.

Other conditions helped with Physiotherapy include:

Arthritis

Hip and elbow dysplasia

Cruciate disease

Muscular spasms

Wobblers

Degenerative Myelopathy

Intervertebral disc disease

Paralysis

Some conditions become apparent when very young (eg. hip dysplasia), while others develop over time. Early diagnosis and management treatment can slow degeneration of the joints and tissues. Once the owners know how to manage the condition, the animal is more likely to avoid injury and pain. Body conditioning exercises may become part of the daily routine, and the physiotherapist will help to intergrate this into an easy lifestyle adaptation.

Common equine causes for referring to a Physiotherapist include:

Soft tissue injury (skin, muscle, tendon, ligament, joint capsule)

Joint injury (arthritis, navicular syndrome, sprains, splints)

Back pain

Stiffness or lack of going forward

Tendon damage

Gait transition difficulty

Physical imbalance

Bruising or tissue swelling

Muscle tightness or weakness

The physiotherapist may seek assistance on a case with the vet surgeon, farrier and saddle fitter. Working together as a team can be necessary in achieving a positive outcome for the horse or pony.